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Re: Towed Fiel Bowsers

The top one dates from late 1930s, the chassis is a 3 & a quarter ton BROCKHOUSE with torsion bar suspension, the tank is by Butterfield the pump gear by ZWICKY, powered by a LISTER 3hp petrol engine. Initially for petrol , then some used for aviation lubricating oil, and water -methanol. The above is definately an early example as the torsion bar suspension was changed to leaf spring in about 1940.

Re: Towed Fuel Bowsers

The type shown in photo 1 was generally referred to as a Zwicky 450 gallon bowser.

Ted’s response could give the impression that this type was fitted to the Brockhouse Mk 2 trailer. Can anybody come up with a photo showing that this was so, or for that matter that it was fitted to other types of trailer? My primary reference (extract from AP2782A) quotes torsion bar suspension which is consistent with only the Brockhouse Mark 1and all the examples I examined in various farmer’s field in Norfolk in the late sixties were indeed on the Mk 1 trailer, of which various sources quote a total of over 10,000 being built.

I have a photo from a 1943 publication which shows a typical oil bowser; it has two drums mounted vertically on the longitudinal lockers at the front end. The caption refers to “special heating being incorporated to ensure that aircraft can be refuelled with oil under the severest weather conditions”. Their words not mine.

I would post the photo except that I cannot get the attachment system to work.

The special heating was not fitted to all the oil bowsers and I do not know if there was the provision to fit it on all of the oil bowsers.

Re: Towed Fuel Bowsers

HI dave Yes I reckon that is the one, there was a 5/6 ton Brockhouse with a 900 tank also with 2 part doors each side, but these appear to have one door slightly larger than the other on each side so an Eagle I reckon fits the bill. I recently obtained the data sheet from AP 2782A on the eagle but there isn't a diagram.

Re: Towed Fuel Bowsers

Originally Posted by WELLINGTON75

The type shown in photo 1 was generally referred to as a Zwicky 450 gallon bowser.

Ted’s response could give the impression that this type was fitted to the Brockhouse Mk 2 trailer. Can anybody come up with a photo showing that this was so, or for that matter that it was fitted to other types of trailer? My primary reference (extract from AP2782A) quotes torsion bar suspension which is consistent with only the Brockhouse Mark 1and all the examples I examined in various farmer’s field in Norfolk in the late sixties were indeed on the Mk 1 trailer, of which various sources quote a total of over 10,000 being built..

Dave Molyneux

The 450 was fitted to the Brockhouse Mk1. (with torsion bar)as above and also The Brockhouse MK 2 4/6 ( but more commonly refered to as a 5) ton with leaf spring. The sheets I have from AP 2782A include the oil and water methanol versions on the MK2 Brockhouse. AP 3090 has various lists of vehicle types and lists both the Brockhouse MK 1 & 2 as being in 450 petrol and 450 oil versions.

Re: Towed Fuel Bowsers

Of the top photo , i have a photo or two of similar type but with doors at both ends. Many a photo shows this type on bomber airfields and in the book 'Lancaster at War 1' (amongst others)they seem to be primarily used for OIL.